Conyers, GA.—MAR 29, 2007—Fresh off a glorious winter circuit, champion rider Daniel Geitner of Aiken, SC continued his victory theme by adding another Tri Color accessory to Remedy’s growing collection. The Margaret Edge owned entry was named Regular Working Hunter Champion for the opening week of the 2007 Atlanta Spring Classics.
Owner of DFG Stables, Daniel has a list of accolades that could stretch from coast to coast easily, but is typically described by friends and clientele as an adamant “horse lover plain and simple.” He is also one of the busiest riders during the two week Spring series, averaging 40 classes a day spread among 5 different rings, competing with both hunters and jumpers. “He wouldn’t be happy otherwise!” wife Cathy, who is expecting the couple’s 2nd child, said of her husband’s busy days.
Remedy and Daniel faced some of the country’s best-known names this week, including 2 time World Champion Hunter Rider Jennifer Alfano and 2 time USEF Horse of the Year Regular Working Champion Terry Brown. “She’s amazing!”a smiling Geitner spoke of the dazzling bay 8 year-old Holsteiner mare. Partnered for a little over a year now, Geitner was more than a bit proud of the accomplishment given this marks her [Remedy] fourth showing in the working hunter division. “She’s one of the best jumpers I’ve ridden. Does this real easy and real careful.” he added.
Switching gears Daniel headed into the Grand Prix arena this afternoon with two mounts for the Lucky Sevens Welcome Stake, presented by Classic Equine Equipment. Awaiting him were 21 fierce national and internationally ranked competitors along with a 14-effort layout by one of the sport’s most respected designers, Michel Vaillancourt. “He’s tough but he sets a rider’s course. Always a very fair layout.” Geitner said of Vaillancourt. First round action saw the rails dropping until the fifth horse in the order, 12 year-old Dutch Warmblood Miraj owned by Sherry Cooke with Daniel as his pilot were the first to go clear in a fast 64.586, far below the allowed 70 second limit. Eight others would join them for the abbreviated second course of 7 obstacles including Kyle Register’s 8 year-old Argentine Warmblood Trading Places, also taken clean in the starting round by Geitner in 67.454 seconds and ultimately finishing in 6th place with a final of 35.340 seconds and 4 faults.
A seemingly easy layout of 8 efforts and generous time allowance of 43 seconds, the true test of the deciding round came at the last 3 fences as riders came off an oxer with a 4’9 spread to then sweep right, heading into a tall vertical and then a very quick roll back to finish over a final wide oxer. Miraj and Geitner were the first tested and passed with flying colors, stopping the clock at 36.272 and setting the bar high for those to follow. Among them, legendary two-time Olympic veteran Joe Fargis, fondly known as “Jumping Joe” to his many fans. The Southampton, NY resident did not disappoint or miss a stride with partner Diams III, the 14 year-old Selle Francis mare owned by Mary B Schwab and Oeji Farm, coming back after a perfect first round time of 64.656 to give an encore performance and cinch the win in a blazing 34.256 seconds. “I thought it was a wonderful course. Michel built a layout suited for this level of competitor.” today’s hero commented. Known for being one of the best examples of sportsmanship, Jumping Joe went on to first praise the performance of both his mounts, his second being long time partner 18 year-old Edgar 12 a Hanoverian gelding, also owned by Mary B Schwab and Oeji Farm, and spoke highly of his fellow competitors saying, “This is a great group of riders and horses. I’m just happy to be among them.”
Second place went to Darios V with Marck Samuel riding for owner Chadburn Holdings with a final time of 35.239. Mary Schwab’s Edgar 12 and Joe Fargis claimed the third position with a time of 35.475 while Daniel Geitner and Miraj took the fourth spot in a time of 36.272, and rounding out the top five was Canadian favorite Malcolm “Mac” Cone riding Melinda for owners Southern Ways with a finish of 37.146 seconds.
The Atlanta Spring Classics continue through April 7th with showing taking place Wednesday through Sunday each week. Classes begin daily at 8AM until approximately 4:30PM and the public is invited. Admission is free and each Sunday afternoon will host an exciting $25,000 Grand Prix jumper event. For more information or results on the Spring Classics visit www.classiccompany.com or call the show office at 770-602-2510.
Flashpoint Media Services, based in Harrodsburg, KY, is a comprehensive public relations firm specializing in the equestrian sports. For additional information contact Robbi Meisel, 859-734 3713, [email protected] or Cynthia Grisolia, 347-423 7322, [email protected].
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